Amsterdam itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Dam Square & the old centre
Damrak and Dam Square, the Oude Kerk and the medieval canals, Zeedijk and Nieuwmarkt, and Waterlooplein by the Amstel.
- 1
Morning
Damrak, Dam Square & the Royal Palace
From Central Station down the Damrak to Dam Square, the city's main square, with the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk on one side and the National Monument on the other.
- Central Station
- Damrak
- Royal Palace
Walk east behind the Beurs into the old canals, about 5 min.
- 2
Late morning
Oude Kerk & the medieval canals
The oldest corner of the city, around the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam's oldest building, with narrow canals like the Oudezijds Voorburgwal lined with leaning gabled houses.
- Oude Kerk
- Oudezijds Voorburgwal
- Old canal houses
Part of this quarter is the red-light district; it is busy and rowdy at night, much calmer in the morning.
Walk along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Zeedijk, about 10 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Zeedijk & Nieuwmarkt
The old harbour street of Zeedijk with its small Chinatown, leading to Nieuwmarkt square and the turreted Waag, a medieval city gate.
- Zeedijk
- Nieuwmarkt
- The Waag
Walk south along the Kloveniersburgwal, about 10 min.
- 4
Late afternoon
Waterlooplein & the Amstel
The old Jewish quarter by the Amstel, with the Zuiderkerk tower, the daily Waterlooplein flea market and the bridges across the river.
- Zuiderkerk
- Waterlooplein market
- Amstel bridges
The market runs every day except Sunday.
Day 2: Anne Frank House, the Jordaan & the canals
The Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan and the Brouwersgracht, the Flower Market, and Rembrandtplein in the evening.
- 1
Morning
Westerkerk & the Anne Frank House
The western canals at their most beautiful, with the tall Westertoren above the Prinsengracht and the house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the war.
- Westertoren
- Anne Frank House
- Prinsengracht
Tickets for the Anne Frank House are sold online only and go weeks ahead, so book early.
Walk north along the Prinsengracht, about 10 min.
- 2
Late morning
The Jordaan & Brouwersgracht
A neighbourhood of small canals, narrow streets, courtyard gardens and street markets, ending at the Brouwersgracht, often called the prettiest canal in the city.
- Brouwersgracht
- Jordaan streets
- Street markets
Walk south along the Herengracht or take a tram, about 20 min.
- 3
Afternoon
Flower Market & Spui
The floating Flower Market on the Singel, with stalls of bulbs and flowers, then the quiet square of Spui and the shopping street of Kalverstraat.
- Flower Market
- Spui
- Kalverstraat
Walk east along the Amstel side of the Singel, about 10 min.
- 4
Evening
Rembrandtplein & the Amstel
A lively square with a statue of Rembrandt, close to the Amstel and to the spot on the Reguliersgracht where you can see fifteen bridges at once.
- Rembrandtplein
- Reguliersgracht
- Amstel
Day 3: The canals by boat & the old harbour
A canal boat trip in the morning, the Montelbaanstoren and the Maritime Museum, and the shopping streets in the evening.
- 1
Morning
A canal boat trip
The city from the water: past the Westerkerk, the houseboats of the Prinsengracht and the merchants' houses of the Keizersgracht, then out onto the Amstel.
- Westerkerk
- Houseboats
- Keizersgracht
Boats leave from piers all over the centre; a smaller open boat gets you closer to the bridges.
Walk or tram east to the Oudeschans, about 20 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Montelbaanstoren & the Maritime Museum
The old harbour side of the city, with the leaning Montelbaanstoren tower on the Oudeschans and the replica Dutch East India Company ship moored at the Maritime Museum.
- Montelbaanstoren
- Oudeschans
- Replica VOC ship
Walk back through Nieuwmarkt to the Rokin, about 20 min.
- 3
Evening
Rokin, Kalverstraat & Nieuwendijk
The busy shopping streets that run either side of Dam Square, from the Rokin and Kalverstraat in the south to the Nieuwendijk in the north.
- Rokin
- Kalverstraat
- Nieuwendijk
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Amsterdam plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Amsterdam
How many days?
Three days covers the old centre, the western canals and the Jordaan, and a day on and around the water. Two days is enough for the highlights if you keep moving.
Where to stay
The Canal Ring is the classic choice; the Jordaan is quieter and full of character; De Pijp is lively and local; the Museum Quarter is calm and close to the big museums. Compare areas →
Getting around
Walk everywhere in the centre, use the trams for longer hops, and rent a bike if you are confident in traffic. Watch out for the bike lanes when you cross the street.
Amsterdam is small enough to cross on foot in half an hour, and most of what a first-timer wants to see sits inside the ring of 17th-century canals. The medieval centre around Dam Square and the Oude Kerk is the oldest part; west of it are the Anne Frank House and the narrow streets of the Jordaan; to the south-east the Amstel river runs past Rembrandtplein and the Waterlooplein market.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets and canals, plus a boat trip, so you can see the bridges, the markets and the gabled houses before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Amsterdam itinerary: common questions
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Three days is a good first visit: one for Dam Square and the old centre, one for the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan and the canal ring, and one on the water. Two days covers the highlights at a faster pace.
Is Amsterdam a walkable city?
Very. The centre is compact and flat, and almost everything on this plan is within a 20-minute walk. Trams fill in the longer hops; just keep out of the red bike lanes.
Is a canal cruise worth it?
Yes, especially on a first visit. An hour on the water shows you the canal houses, bridges and houseboats from the angle they were built to be seen, and it gives tired feet a rest.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
April and May bring the tulip season and long days; June to August is warm and busy. Autumn is quieter, and winter is cold but cosy, with lights on the canals in December.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Keep exploring Amsterdam
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Amsterdam city guide →